Montana to North Dakota Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 524 miles from Montana to North Dakota ranges from $632 to $915. Expect the trip to take around one–six days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Dakota to Montana car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Montana to North Dakota car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Montana to North Dakota:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Montana
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Montana ready to move your vehicle to North Dakota:
- Turbo Auto Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Big Sky Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Montana to North Dakota
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Montana to North Dakota, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 524 miles to your car on the trip from Montana to North Dakota. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Montana to North Dakota is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
Montana to North Dakota auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Montana and North Dakota. The average journey covers about 524 miles and takes roughly one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to North Dakota
| From Montana to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Fargo, ND | $746 – $1,079 | 609 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Bismarck, ND | $624 – $863 | 415 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Billings, MT to Grand Forks, ND | $722 – $1,092 | 666 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Minot, ND | $629 – $820 | 441 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Billings, MT to West Fargo, ND | $738 – $1,048 | 601 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to North Dakota
| From Montana to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Fargo, ND | $862 – $1,246 | 950 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Missoula, MT to Bismarck, ND | $835 – $1,114 | 756 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Missoula, MT to Grand Forks, ND | $799 – $1,343 | 1,007 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Minot, ND | $815 – $1,141 | 704 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Missoula, MT to West Fargo, ND | $838 – $1,223 | 943 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to North Dakota
| From Montana to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Fargo, ND | $818 – $1,198 | 738 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Bismarck, ND | $685 – $957 | 544 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Grand Forks, ND | $795 – $1,126 | 750 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Minot, ND | $645 – $928 | 540 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to West Fargo, ND | $802 – $1,106 | 731 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to North Dakota
| From Montana to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Fargo, ND | $810 – $1,198 | 749 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Bismarck, ND | $711 – $979 | 554 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Grand Forks, ND | $792 – $1,188 | 806 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Minot, ND | $693 – $1,029 | 581 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to West Fargo, ND | $826 – $1,163 | 741 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to North Dakota
| From Montana to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Fargo, ND | $814 – $1,168 | 834 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Butte, MT to Bismarck, ND | $768 – $1,076 | 639 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Butte, MT to Grand Forks, ND | $787 – $1,286 | 890 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Butte, MT to Minot, ND | $745 – $1,102 | 666 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Butte, MT to West Fargo, ND | $846 – $1,291 | 826 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to North Dakota
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Montana to North Dakota, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $790–$1,144.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to North Dakota
When arranging car transport from the Big Sky Country to the Peace Garden State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Montana to North Dakota.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to North Dakota spans about 524 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Montana more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Montana and North Dakota.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Montana to North Dakota should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
North Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to North Dakota, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance requirements: North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
- Vehicle inspection: As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
- Driver’s license: If you’ve just moved to North Dakota, visit a Driver's License and Testing office, make an appointment for road tests, bring proof of current name and date of birth, and pay applicable fees to get a new driver’s license.
- Additional taxes: Proof of taxes paid in the state of purchase is required to be exempt from North Dakota excise tax for out-of-state vehicle purchases. No tax reciprocity for foreign purchases, taxes due at 5% on purchase price (based on exchange rate).
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Montana
More than 1.1 million people call Montana home. Nicknamed the Big Sky Country. Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
Transporting your vehicle to North Dakota
About 783,926 people are living in the Peace Garden State. North Dakota has warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in North Dakota?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Montana and when dropping it off in North Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to North Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to North Dakota, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Dakota, which you should verify before loading your car in Montana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Montana, drivers must meet legal requirements for minimum car insurance liability coverage to ensure financial responsibility in accidents. Mandated by state regulations, this includes $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, covering collective medical expenses in case of multiple injuries, capped at $50,000 for the entire incident. Additionally, there's a required minimum of $20,000 per accident for property damage, crucial for addressing costs related to damage to another party's vehicle or property. Adhering to these insurance requirements is imperative for all motorists, ensuring compliance with state laws and contributing to a secure and responsible driving environment on Montana roadways.
North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to North Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to North Dakota is about 524 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Montana to North Dakota.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in North Dakota?
If you’ve just moved to North Dakota, visit a Driver's License and Testing office, make an appointment for road tests, bring proof of current name and date of birth, and pay applicable fees to get a new driver’s license.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Dakota after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to North Dakota after purchasing it.
Proof of taxes paid in the state of purchase is required to be exempt from North Dakota excise tax for out-of-state vehicle purchases. No tax reciprocity for foreign purchases, taxes due at 5% on purchase price (based on exchange rate).
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and North Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to North Dakota?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to North Dakota is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Montana to North Dakota?
Shipping a car from Montana to North Dakota costs $632 to $915.
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